Final Fantasy XVI

[Grampy_Bone]

I will also say it's a bit of a downside to me that FF16 has blood and swearing and sex in it since it means my kids don't get to watch me play it. But that's Dad gaming for you.

 

[Abu Antar]

I played the demo a couple of days ago. There were no surprises for me, as in I got what I expected. A linear opening, with lots of story, with action combat, story and dialog catering more towards a western audience, and decent music. Graphics could be better, but I have no major complaints. Everything is competently made, but this is not what I look for in Final Fantasy game. I'm not upset, and I might get it further down the line, but I am looking for something more similar to FF1-FF9. That is probably why I am more drawn to the Bravely series, and Octopath series.

 

[ADULF HITLOR FAN KLUB]

As originally believed the PS5 exclusivity is for 6 months. There's a new PS5 PR/Promo Trailer that mentions it expires on 31/12/23.

It will likely be extended another six months. Same happened with FFVIIR.

 

[Duraframe300]

I played the demo a couple of days ago. There were no surprises for me, as in I got what I expected. A linear opening, with lots of story, with action combat, story and dialog catering more towards a western audience, and decent music. Graphics could be better, but I have no major complaints. Everything is competently made, but this is not what I look for in Final Fantasy game. I'm not upset, and I might get it further down the line, but I am looking for something more similar to FF1-FF9. That is probably why I am more drawn to the Bravely series, and Octopath series.

Good post. Not surprised, won't be for everybody.

Conversly I've thought about why XVI attracts me so much, three reasons sprang to mind.

1. The return of Matsuno FF. While actually none of the Ivalice games rank in my Top FF games I do very much enjoy them. I also really love Tactics Ogre. That japanese take on political european grimdark fantasy just very much appeals to me and we should have had more of them when it comes to FF. Sadly, FF12's development happened, Matsuno burned out and we are where we are. (Whatever content of XIV doesn't matter to me as I only play single player games)

2. Juvenile excitement for the setting. Sounds weird, but one of the most memorable moments my kid self had in Final Fantasy was at the beginning of FFIV with Rydia losing it after you bomb her home town and summoning Titan resulting in him changing the landscape and you stranded on the other side. That was just a small smoke effect back on the SNES, but to my mind the scale was enormous. So, a game that's based around Summons fighting each other kind of scratches that itch. 10 year old me would have lost it at XVI. XV *tried* to have a bit of that as well with some of the Astral sequences, but as 90% of all things in XV it was terribly executed.

3. Not a fan of hybrids. Don't get me wrong. I'd rather have turn-based combat. In fact in the case of FF I'd have loved more of that mix of combining TB combat with the set pieces and the spectacle. FFX did a bit of this and especially Lost Odyssey. There's quite a few fights in that game I remember, not specifically because of the combat itself but rather how it integrated what was happening around it into the fight.
Easiest example here is the opening minutes of the game. That fight was basically a guided super easy tutorial, but fuck was it memorable. After Lost Odyssey, this art was, well, lost. No jrpg really did it anymore. Furthering that concept would have worked out easily in FFXVI or similar games. Sadly, instead we have some nonsense perception that jrpg TB combat won't work in certain type of games.

Anyway, lost the plot. Yeah, hybrids or specifically FF7Remake. Remake's combat was fucking boring. There can be some challenge to it, but it doesn't matter if at EVERY point I'd rather play a turn based game or a faster action game. It also made most mechanics feel gimmicky as hell because they'd be better done in their appropriate battle systems. It's hilariously why I'm not so apprehensive about XVI's switch to action, dmc like combat. If you do action, make it at least fun.

So, yeah. In conclusion why I have plenty of nit-picks (including those item orb things) the demo did hit those points for me. Got my Matsuno vibes, got my inner child satisfied with the effect and scale of the Eikons, and the combat, while still having question marks, already FELT much better to me than a single minute I spent playing Remake.

 

[Duraframe300]

Don't be afraid to wait though. Not buggy, but performance isn't exactly flawless, so waiting for a few patches or the inevitable PC Version is a good choice.

Full version is now in wild due to retailers breaking street date and yeah, not much improved. I'm going to play on the 30fps graphics mode due to (imo) very decent framepacing, but its certainly not ideal for combat, especially later on. That said combat apparently is a relatively steady 60fps in performance mode for some reason.

If you're on the fence anyway, best to just wait for a patch before buying or for the PC version whenever it's released.

Edit: Also one of the combat related trophies is literary named

 

[Duraframe300]

 

[Duraframe300]

They reaaaaaaaaaaaally took inspiration from XII for area design:

 

[Duraframe300]

A pre-release update will go live on the 20th.Might be the first time people who got a game early also get a patch
Other than that, the japanese pre-show was mostly a repeat.

 

[Jermu]

 

[Tyrr]

Tell that to people who wait for the PC version.

 

[Yosharian]

Vaan and Penelo were one of the few redeeming factors of FF12

[FF13] had outstanding visuals and a great soundtrack, but it did not fit what Final Fantasy fans wanted (medieval fantasy adventure, exploring a world). Combat was also fun. The corridors and the item management were nuisances but nothing crippling. I think the big reason why FF13's reputation is in the gutter is because of the widespread adoption of the internet, which means that the opinions of gaming journalists and youtubers had power. IGN and Spoony sandbagged FF13 and their opinions were regurgitated.

What the fuck is wrong with you

 

[Duraframe300]

Also SJW's even more triggered because women aren't allowed on the battlefield (Unless Dominant).

 

[Grampy_Bone]

The demo had no map, so that's a plus.

 

[James_xeno]

Not going to lie here.. I'm pretty biased on basic concept alone. I've just about reached and passed the end of my tolerance for dark, gritty, edgy, realistic and medieval european settings in general. Including all but the most extremely well done WRPGs. (probably less than once a decade) The last thing I'm interested in is JRPGs following the seemingly mandatory WRPG trend.. only minus the nonlinear (well somewhat nonlinear in modern times), open world/adventure elements that make WRPGs different. If they actually tried to emulate and improve upon the idea.. like including a strong deep~ish branching storyline or something, that would be one thing.. a dream come true in a way. (as far as WRPG style games go) But it's clearly not what they are doing here. All this shift to WRPG style games is doing for japanese devs is adding to the list of games i'm no longer interested in playing.


About the only positive thing this game has going, in terms of pushing JRPGs forward, is potentially finally getting past the modern japanese media mentality on relationships, sex and nudity. (where 'hand holding' or a end scene kiss is considered "explicit" in it's relationship affirmation.. and everyone is basically asexual 95% of the time) I mean i'm not saying I want ship drama or anything... god no in fact!

I played the demo a couple of days ago. There were no surprises for me, as in I got what I expected. A linear opening, with lots of story, with action combat, story and dialog catering more towards a western audience, and decent music. Graphics could be better, but I have no major complaints. Everything is competently made, but this is not what I look for in Final Fantasy game. I'm not upset, and I might get it further down the line, but I am looking for something more similar to FF1-FF9. That is probably why I am more drawn to the Bravely series, and Octopath series.

Yeah, these are basically my feelings as well. This is simply not something i'm very interested in. A linear adventure with all the trappings and styles of a WRPG. Actually, just reading what I wrote there, makes it sound even less appealing.

-------------------------------------------------


I know FFXII gets a lot of hate but at least it was good, and had an interesting setting, world and characters. FFXIII is where the series truly went off the rails. Abandoning all of the rules and standards that made it what it is. (from being a singular game, with all further in-story content being spin-offs or side content) to TB battle systems. FFXV was the low water mark for me. I'll play DMC or something if I want to hack&slash at things all game. (seriously, how the hell do such RPG battles systems not get shit for being repetitive? people seem to like to use that argument so often with RPG battle systems... just not full action ones)

 

[Duraframe300]

The demo had no map, so that's a plus.

Ah I personally don't mind it. I was fine with XII's map design and technically they have said this for a while so not that surprised. Just thought it was funny how close it was to that spiderweb structure.

 

[cvv]

The first and last FF game I played was VII, like 25 years ago.

But I'll buy this, when it comes to PC, just to support the game against MODERN AUDIENCES.

 

[Modron]

But this is the most progressive FF yet with its gay romances.

 

[Yosharian]

But this is the most progressive FF yet with its gay romances.

...what?

 

[Duraframe300]

But this is the most progressive FF yet with its gay romances.

I haven't been spoilered on much (one very obvious plot point so who cares). But suspected gay dude doesn't make a real appearance for a long time and even when he does it's apparently not/barely hinted at. So, doesn't give me pandering vibes.

There's lots of hetero sexy though.

Compare that to 15 where you have a electric company solely consisting of female workforce because some rando women founded it.

 

[Modron]

But this is the most progressive FF yet with its gay romances.

...what?

You new to the thread? Game has already been banned in Saudi Arabia for its depictions of homosex and Square responded they wouldn't censor/change it in May.
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/final-fantasy-16-has-been-banned-in-saudi-arabia/

 

[Yosharian]

But this is the most progressive FF yet with its gay romances.

...what?

You new to the thread? Game has already been banned in Saudi Arabia for its depictions of homosex and Square responded they wouldn't censor/change it in May.
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/final-fantasy-16-has-been-banned-in-saudi-arabia/

Yeah I haven't really been following everything

 

[Tyrr]

Just because it shows gay relationships doesn't make it progressive. It depends on how these relationships and the persons involved are depicted.

 

[Yosharian]

Alright I read that page, it's pretty vague though. Could be girl-on-girl?

 

[Duraframe300]

Alright I read that page, it's pretty vague though. Could be girl-on-girl?

The charachter that's been strongly hinted at is Dion. Prince of the Empire that murders your father and enslaves you. Serves as a mirror to Clive as the *perfect* prince, artsy and all that.

And as he's the Dominant of Bahamut you beat him up during the game's story. Add to that what I wrote above.

So, personally he sounds like a gay character you'd have had before the SJW craze. Not pandering nonsense.
That's of course up to you to decide though.

 

[Tyrr]

Alright I read that page, it's pretty vague though. Could be girl-on-girl?

The charachter that's been strongly hinted at is Dion. Prince of the Empire that murders your father and enslaves you. Serves as a mirror to Clive as the *perfect* prince, artsy and all that.

And as he's the Dominant of Bahamut you beat him up during the game's story. Add to that what I wrote above.

So, personally he sounds like a gay character you'd have had before the SJW craze. Not pandering nonsense.
That's of course up to you to decide though.

Yes. That's what I was talking about.
There is nothing wrong with portraying the villain as a degenerate by making him gay. Or showing the rise of homosexual acts as a sign of societal collapse.